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The AAdvantage Executive Platinum Card is a game-changer for frequent flyers. With a $595 annual fee, it may seem steep, but the benefits can add up quickly.
You'll earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on flights and hotels booked through American Airlines, which can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and more.
The card also offers a generous 50,000-mile bonus after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. This can be a huge boost to your mileage balance and help you reach your travel goals faster.
Benefits and Perks
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers a range of benefits and perks that make it an attractive option for frequent American Airlines flyers.
You'll get access to Admirals Club airport lounges, which normally cost $850 per year. This includes access to nearly 50 Admirals Club airport lounges, as well as partner lounges for the primary cardholder.
First checked bag free is another perk, which means you and up to eight companions on the same reservation will receive your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
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Priority privileges are also included, with priority check-in, screening, and boarding (Group 4) when traveling with American Airlines.
The card also offers a Loyalty Point boost, with up to 20,000 elite-qualifying Loyalty Points per year. This can be especially helpful for those chasing American Airlines elite status.
Here are the details of the Loyalty Point boost:
Additionally, the card offers statement credits to help offset the annual fee, including up to $120 in credit for prepaid rental cars booked directly with Avis and Budget per calendar year, and up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits every four years.
Rewards and Earning
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard rewards cardholders with a generous earning structure, including 10X miles per dollar on eligible rental cars through aa.com/cars and 10X miles on eligible hotels through aa.com/hotels. You'll also earn 4X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, with a bonus of 5X miles on these purchases for the remainder of the calendar year after you spend $150,000 or more on your card.
Here's a breakdown of the earning rates:
You'll also earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar you spend on any American Airlines credit card, which is how you qualify for American Airlines elite status.
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Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit is a great perk of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. You can get a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for the application fee.
This benefit is available for the primary cardholder only, so it doesn't extend to additional cardholders. You can use this benefit to enroll a family member or a friend in one of the programs, which can be a nice bonus.
To qualify for the statement credit, you must charge the application fee to your Citi / AAdvantage Executive credit card. You'll receive a statement credit for the first program to which you apply and pay for with your eligible card, regardless of whether you're approved for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Please allow 1-2 billing cycles after the qualifying fee is charged to your account for the statement credit to be posted. Only fees associated with the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee will be eligible towards the statement credit.
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Elite Status
Earning elite status with American Airlines is a great perk, and the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard makes it easier. With this card, you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point for every mile you earn from purchases.
The card also offers bonus Loyalty Points to help you reach the highest tiers of elite status. You'll get a 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus upon reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, and another 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus when you hit 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same year.
To give you an idea of how these bonuses can help, here's a breakdown of the Loyalty Point requirements for each elite status tier:
These bonuses can make a big difference in achieving elite status, especially if you're already spending a lot on the card. For example, if you spend $40,000 on the card, you'll earn 40,000 Loyalty Points and achieve AAdvantage Gold status. The 10,000-point boost would mean you have to earn another 25,000 Loyalty Points to reach AAdvantage Platinum.
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Double Advantage on Select Categories
Earning double the miles on select categories can significantly boost your AAdvantage balance. You can earn 2 AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases.
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard offers a better earning rate on everyday expenses compared to the Citi AAdvantage Executive. It earns 2X miles at restaurants and gas stations, which is twice the miles you'd earn with the Citi AAdvantage Executive.
Here's a breakdown of the earning rates on select categories:
Keep in mind that not all purchases at gas stations and restaurants qualify for double miles. Some examples of excluded purchases include supercenters, warehouse clubs, and convenience stores. Always check the terms and conditions to ensure your purchase qualifies for the double miles earning rate.
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Travel and Protection
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers a range of travel and protection benefits that can help you navigate unexpected disruptions and save money on your travels.
Cardholders can enjoy one free checked bag for themselves and up to eight travel companions on the same itinerary, as well as priority check-in, screening, and boarding with American Airlines.
You'll also receive 25 percent savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases, and access to nearly 50 Admirals Club airport lounges for you and your immediate family or two guests.
Here are some of the key travel and protection benefits of the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard:
- Free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight travel companions
- Priority check-in, screening, and boarding with American Airlines
- 25 percent savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases
- Access to Admirals Club airport lounges
- Trip cancellation and interruption protection
- Trip delay protection
- Lost baggage protection
- Worldwide car rental insurance coverage
Enhanced Airport Experience
If you're a frequent flyer, you'll love the Enhanced Airport Experience that comes with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. This benefit is exclusive to cardholders and offers a range of perks to make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
You'll get priority check-in, priority airport screening, and priority boarding privileges when traveling on American Airlines flights or those operated by American Eagle. This means you'll be able to skip long lines and get to your gate faster.
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Up to eight companions traveling with you will also receive these benefits if they're listed in the same reservation. That's a huge advantage when traveling with family or friends.
You can check in at any Business Class check-in position or First Class check-in, even if you're not traveling in those classes. This is a great perk, especially if you're traveling with a lot of luggage.
Exclusive lanes at security checkpoints are also available, subject to TSA approval. This can save you a lot of time and hassle when going through security.
Here's a summary of the Enhanced Airport Experience benefits:
By taking advantage of these benefits, you can make your travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free.
Travel Protection Benefits
Travel protection benefits can be a lifesaver when unexpected travel disruptions occur.
Having a credit card with built-in travel protections can help offset costs incurred from trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays.
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers these protections, including trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage.
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Lost baggage and worldwide rental car insurance are also included in this credit card's benefits.
These protections can provide peace of mind when booking travel, knowing that you have some level of financial security in case something goes wrong.
Certain terms, limitations, and exclusions apply to these benefits, and more information can be found in the Guide to Protection Benefits provided with the card.
Welcome and Sign-up Offers
The welcome and sign-up offers on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard are a major draw for many cardholders. The biggest welcome offer ever is 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months.
This is a significant increase from the typical welcome offer of 50,000 miles and is the highest amount we've seen in over five years. The best use of AAdvantage miles can be seen in award flights, such as a business-class ticket from Fort Lauderdale to Harare for 70,000 miles.
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In some cases, the welcome offer has been as low as 75,000 miles or as high as 80,000 miles. However, the 100,000-mile bonus is the most generous offer we've seen, with a value of $1,700 based on TPG's June 2024 valuations.
To be eligible for the welcome bonus, you must not have received a welcome bonus for the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard in the past four years. The standard offer is 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Fees and Pricing
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a $595 annual fee, which is waived for the first 12 months. This card also charges a $175 annual fee to add up to three authorized users, with each additional authorized user costing an additional $175 per year.
You can avoid foreign transaction fees with this card, which is a big plus for international travelers. The card has a variable purchase APR of 20.49% - 29.49%, and a variable cash advance APR of 21.74% - 28.74%. The Penalty APR is up to 29.99% and may be applied if you make a late payment or a payment that is returned.
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Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee
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The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit is a valuable benefit of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
You'll receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for either program, and with the recent increase in the Global Entry fee, the credit will now be worth up to $120.
To qualify, you must charge the application fee to your Citi / AAdvantage Executive credit card, and the credit will be applied to your account after one to two billing cycles.
The credit is only for the primary cardholder, not additional cardholders, so make sure to use it for yourself.
You can use this benefit to enroll a family member or friend in one of the programs, making it a great perk to share with loved ones.
Only fees associated with the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee will be eligible for the statement credit, so be sure to use your card for these expenses.
You can find more information on Global Entry at globalentry.gov and TSA PreCheck at tsa.gov, and applications are made directly with these organizations, not through Citi.
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Rates and Fees
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The Citi / AAdvantage Business Card has a standard variable APR for purchases of 18.74% - 28.74% based on your creditworthiness.
The standard variable APR for cash advances is 29.94%. This is significantly higher than the purchase APR, so it's essential to pay off cash advances as soon as possible.
The variable Penalty APR is up to 29.99% and may be applied if you make a late payment or make a payment that is returned.
The annual fee for the Citi / AAdvantage Business Card is $0 for the first 12 months, but it's $99 after that. This fee is relatively low compared to other business credit cards.
There is no fee for foreign purchases with this card, which is a big plus for businesses that travel internationally.
The cash advance fee is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. This fee is higher than some other credit cards, so be sure to review it carefully.
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The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a $595 annual fee, which is significantly higher than the Citi / AAdvantage Business Card.
This card also has a $175 annual fee to add up to three authorized users, and each additional authorized user is an additional $175 per year.
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has no foreign transaction fees, which is a big plus for businesses that travel internationally.
The variable purchase APR for this card is 20.49% - 29.49%.
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Comparison and Review
The Citi AAdvantage Executive Platinum card offers a unique set of benefits that set it apart from other credit cards. You'll need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for this card, which is a bit more stringent than some other options.
The annual fee for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Platinum card is $595, which is a significant investment, but it comes with some valuable perks. In comparison, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has an annual fee of $550.
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Here's a comparison of the two cards:
Ultimately, whether or not the Citi AAdvantage Executive Platinum card is right for you depends on your individual needs and spending habits. If you frequently travel with American Airlines, this card's benefits may be a great fit.
Mastercard vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Comparison
The Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are two popular credit cards that offer unique rewards and benefits. The Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard has a higher annual fee of $595 compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $550.
If you have a good to excellent credit score, you're eligible for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve requires an excellent credit score. The Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard offers 10X miles on eligible hotels and rental cars booked through American Airlines' website, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when booked through Chase Travelâ„ .
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One of the standout benefits of the Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard is its airline-specific perks, including free checked bags and priority boarding with American Airlines. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, offers Priority Pass airport lounge access and travel and purchase protections.
Here's a comparison of the credit cards' rewards and benefits:
The Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard also offers monthly credits for Lyft and Grubhub, as well as an annual credit for direct prepaid Avis and Hertz bookings. The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an annual travel credit and trusted traveler programs credit.
Mastercard Review
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is a solid choice for frequent American Airlines flyers.
The welcome bonus is a great starting point, but let's dive deeper into the benefits and perks that come with this card.
You can earn and use American Airlines miles with this card, which is perfect for those who want to redeem their miles for flights on American Airlines.
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One thing to consider is the rates and fees associated with this card, which can impact your overall experience.
If you're considering this card, it's worth comparing it to other options on the market to see which one suits your needs best.
Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Citi AAdvantage Executive card to help you make an informed decision:
Ultimately, whether the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is right for you depends on your individual needs and flying habits.
Mileage and Loyalty
You earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on eligible purchases, excluding certain transactions like balance transfers and cash advances. This applies to both primary credit cardmembers and Authorized Users.
Eligible American Airlines purchases earn 4x AAdvantage miles per dollar, and you can also earn 10x AAdvantage miles per dollar on car rentals and hotels booked through aa.com. However, these bonus miles don't translate directly to Loyalty Points.
You'll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on purchases, excluding the same transactions as AAdvantage miles. This means that for every dollar you spend, you'll earn both an AAdvantage mile and a Loyalty Point.
Companion Certificate
The Companion Certificate is a valuable benefit that comes with the Citi / AAdvantage Business Mastercard credit card.
To earn it, you'll need to spend $30,000 or more in purchases within a 12-month period, and your account must be open for one full billing cycle after your anniversary month.
For your first year, purchases qualify from the date of your account opening. After that, allow at least 8-10 weeks for the certificate to become available.
The certificate can be redeemed for a $99 companion ticket fee, plus any applicable government taxes and fees, for one round-trip qualifying domestic economy fare ticket.
Travel must be booked and purchased in select Main Cabin inventory, and all travel must be completed by midnight CST of the travel expiration date.
The Companion Certificate is valid for travel within the 48 contiguous United States, or for residents of Alaska and Hawaii, for round-trip travel originating in either of those two states and continuing to the contiguous United States.
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Earn Loyalty Points
Earning Loyalty Points is a crucial part of reaching American Airlines elite status.
Loyalty Points can be earned on purchases, with 1 Loyalty Point accruing for every $1 spent. This means that if you spend $100 on groceries, you'd earn 100 Loyalty Points.
You can earn Loyalty Points on all eligible purchases, excluding balance transfers, cash advances, checks that access your credit card account, and other excluded transactions.
Loyalty Points earned by the primary credit cardmember will be posted to their AAdvantage account in 8- to 10 weeks.
Authorized Users can also earn Loyalty Points on purchases, which will be posted to their individual AAdvantage account.
Here's a breakdown of how Loyalty Points are earned:
Keep in mind that Loyalty Points can also be earned through actual AA flights and partner offers, not just through purchases on the Citi / AAdvantage credit card.
To reach elite status, you'll need to earn a certain number of Loyalty Points during the status year. The exact number varies depending on the tier you're aiming for.
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Sources
- https://www.afar.com/magazine/review-citi-aadvantage-executive-world-elite-mastercard
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/is-the-citi-aadvantage-executive-world-elite-mastercard-worth-its-annual-fee
- https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-aa-compare
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/citi-aadvantage-executive-world-elite-mastercard-worth-annual-fee/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/citi-aadvantage-executive-card-review/
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